Dispensing system and security card for use therewith

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing items desired by the user in response to the introduction of a valid security card and additional predetermined information. The apparatus includes means for reading data from the security card, keyboard means for introducing additional information and electronic logic for determining the validity of the card and the validity of the predetermined information. A security card is provided including a first area to record the number of uses of said card and a second area to record the date of the last use. The apparatus includes logic to prevent dispensing and to retain the card if the card has been used more than a predetermined number of times or more than once within a predetermined time interval.

The present invention relates to a dispensing appparatus, system orequipment which is operable in response to the introduction therein of avalid security card and the entering or keying in of predeterminedinformation.

The system or equipment includes security card reading means, and meansfor determining the validity or invalidity of the security card.

There is also provided means for permitting a user of the system orequipment to key in certain predetermined information, which may, forexample, be information which has been memorized by the user and isknown only to the true user or customer and the company or bank whichprovides or makes available such system or equipment.

There is also provided means for determining the validity or invalidityor the predetermined information, and means for dispensing the items,such as currency, desired by the user only if the security card andkeyed-in information are both determined to be valid.

The invention also relates to a security card or credit card which isprovided with areas having magnetically recorded data, such as accountnumbers and code numbers.

The inventive security card may also be provided with indica bearing arandomly-applied material or characteristic, such as an amount ofmagnetic material, which is accurately measured or determined before thecard is issued to the intended user or customer.

The security card may also be provided with areas for recording thereinthe number of times the user or customer has successfully used the card,and the date of the most recent successful use of the card.

The inventive apparatus, system or equipment may include means forretaining the security card and for preventing the return of the card tothe user or customer after said card has been introduced into the systemor equipment a predetermined number of times.

The apparatus, system or equipment may also include means for retainingthe security card and for preventing return of the card to the user whenthe card is or has been introduced into the system more than apredetermined number of times within a predetermined time interval.

The apparatus, system, or equipment may also include means for retainingany security card and for preventing return of the card to the user whenthe user fails to key-in the predetermined information which is correctand/or valid after a predetermined number of attempts to do so.

The invention also contemplates an apparatus, system or equipmentwherein the items dispensed by the system or equipment include orcomprise currency.

The apparatus, system or equipment may also include means fordetermining whether or not the value of the items desired by the userexceeds the current balance of funds in the account of the user.

The apparatus, system or equipment may also include means fordetermining whether or not the value of the items desired by the userexceeds a predetermined amount of credit to be extended to the user.

The invention also contemplates the feature wherein various data orinformation is magnetically recorded on the security card in a scrambledor coded form and/or arrangement; and the means for determining thevalidity or invalidity of the security card which is introduced into thesystem or equipment includes means for electronically unscrambling ordecoding the scrambled or coded data or information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatusfor dispensing items desired by a user of the apparatus in response tothe introduction into the apparatus of a valid security card and theentering into the apparatus of predetermined information. The apparatusincludes first means for permitting the user to introduce a securitycard into the apparatus, and second means for determining the validityor invalidity of the security card. There is also provided third meansfor reading data which is present on the security card, and fourth meansfor permitting the user to enter into the apparatus the predeterminedinformation. The apparatus also includes a fifth means for determiningthe validity or invalidity of the predetermined information, and sixthmeans for dispensing the items desired by the user only after thesecurity card and the predetermined information of both determined bythe apparatus to be valid.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a novelarticle, such as a security or identification card, which includes abody member and a first predetermined area of the body member withinwhich area there has been applied a random quantity of magneticmaterial.

The article also includes a second predetermined area of the body memberwithin which second area there has been recorded data which ismathematically related to the random quantity of the magnetic materialwhich has been applied within the first predetermined area of the bodymember.

Various purposes and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art as the following detaileddescription of the invention unfolds when the taken in conjunction withthe appended drawings wherein like reference numerals denote likeelements, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a fascia provided in theexternal wall of a bank for a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view, partly in section, of theembodiment of the novel apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevational view, partly in section, of theapparatus shown in FIG. 2 wherein there is depicted the security cardreader, the cash dispenser chute, the printer and paper stack, the powersupply, the printed circuit boards, and the external fascia shown inphantom lines;

FIG. 4 illustrates a back elevational view, partly in section, of theapparatus depicted in the previous figures but also showing the safewhich houses the supply of plastic packages of currency to be dispensedand the return box for the empty plastic packages;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of the novelarticle or security card which may be used with the cash dispenserapparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the article or security card shown inFIG. 5 depicting the large black arrow and the four magnetic recordingstripes or tracks;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the cashdispensing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 with the door of thesafe opened and the other various components of the apparatus slidrearward for clarity and easy access;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of the cash dispensingapparatus shown in FIG. 7 wherein the portion of the external wall ofthe bank is shown in section;

FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the plastic package or clipwhich is used for holding the dispensed currency;

FIG. 10 illustrates a typical voucher which is printed automatically bythe cash dispensing apparatus upon each transaction or use of theapparatus by a customer, and shows a typical sorting code number,account number, branch number, dispense date, retention code, the numberof times the security card has been used, and the amount of currencythat has been dispensed, if any;

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 form a composite overall information block diagramfor the entire cash dispensing apparatus or system;

FIG. 14 illustrates the storage for the two tracks or stripes of staticdata which is recorded on the rear side of the security card;

FIG. 15 illustrates the storage for the two tracks of dynamic data whichis recorded on the rear side of the security card; and

FIGS. 16A to 16D illustrate a control unit flow diagram for the overallcash dispensing system or apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described with reference to the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The descriptionfirst relates to one particular embodiment of the invention wherein theuser, potential customer, or true security card holder may obtaincurrency or money from a bank at any hour of the day or night regardlessof whether or not the bank is opened or closed and without the need of ahuman bank teller.

It should first be pointed out that the bank which provides theinventive cash dispensing apparatus issues a special article or securitycard to its customer. When the customer is issued the security card, heis also given a six digit secret number which is known only to the headoffice of the bank and that particular customer. The customer isrequired to memorize four digits of the six digit secret number whichwill hereinafter be referred to as the "PERSONAL NUMBER." It should beemphasized that the customer's personal number is not known by theemployees of the various bank branches nor by the persons who maymanufacture or service the cash dispensing apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the front portion of theexternal fascia 1 of the cash dispensing apparatus as installed in theouter brick wall of a bank. The fascia 1 includes a card slot 2 whereinthe potential customer may insert his security card when he desires toobtain currency. In addition to the security card slot 2, the fascia 1includes a 10-key keyboard 3, a currency delivery slot 4, an emptycurrency package return slot 5, a "CARD RETAINED" sign 6, "TAKE CARD"sign 7, and "EMPTY" sign 8, an "ENTER NUMBERS" sign 9, an "AGAIN" sign10, and a "WAIT" sign 11. Normally, the various designations of thesigns 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are not visible to the potential customeruntil an appropriate lamp is energized in back of a particular sign atthe proper time in the sequence of operation of the cash dispensingapparatus.

After the potential customer has inserted his security card into thesecurity card slot 2, there is a predetermined time delay during whichthe cash dispensing apparatus automatically determines whether or notthe security card which has been inserted is a valid or invalid securitycard. Assuming that the potential customer has inserted a valid securitycard in the security card slot 2, the "WAIT" sign 11 is lighted whilethe cash dispensing apparatus is performing other automatic checkingprocedures to ultimately determine the validity or invalidity of theinserted security card. During the time when the "WAIT" sign 11 islighted, the security card which has been inserted into the securitycard slot 2 is drawn into the apparatus so as to be out of reach of thepotential customer and, accordingly, may not be withdrawn by thepotential customer prematurely.

When the inserted security card has been determined to be a validsecurity card, the "WAIT" sign 11 returns to a non-illuminatedcondition, and thereupon the "ENTER NUMBERS" sign 9 becomes illuminated.This indicates to the potential customer that he is now required toenter or key in the four digits of his secret personal number which hehas presumably committed to memory. The potential customer mustthereupon key in the correct digits in their proper sequence, and hemust do this within a predetermined interval of time. If the potentialcustomer accomplishes this within the allotted time, this will indicateto the cash dispensing apparatus that he is indeed the true customer towhom the inserted security card has been issued by a bank.

After the potential customer has correctly entered his personal numberdigits in the correct sequence and allotted time, the "ENTER NUMBERS"sign 9 reverts to its non-illuminated condition, the inserted securitycard re-appears at the security card slot 2, and the "TAKE CARD" sign 7becomes illuminated. This indicates to the potential customer that heshould remove his security card from the security card slot 2, and upondoing so, a plastic package of currency will appear at the currencydelivery slot 4. This particular sequence of operations is provided bythe cash dispensing apparatus to avoid the situation of having thecustomer inadvertently leave his security card in the security card slot2 after obtaining the desired currency. This sequence compels thecustomer to remove his security card from the security card slot 2before any cash or currency will be dispensed to him.

The dispensed plastic package which contains the currency is illustratedin FIG. 9. The particular embodiment of the invention which is heredescribed contemplates dispensing a predetermined amount of currency,for example, ten one-British pound sterling notes.

After the customer has removed the currency from the plastic dispensingpackage 12, he may place the empty package 12 in the plastic packagereturn slot 5. This enables the bank to re-use the plastic package 12over and over again for many dispensings of currency to many customers.

If for some reason the potential customer had failed to enter or key inthe predetermined proper digits of the secret personal number, or hadnot done so in the proper sequence, or had failed to do so within theallotted time interval, then the cash dispensing apparatus wouldautomatically give the potential customer a second opportunity to enterthe correct personal number by using the 10-key keyboard 3 once more.This would be indicated to the potential customer by the simultaneousillumination of signs 9 and 10 designating "ENTER NUMBERS AGAIN."

If during this second opportunity the customer successfully andcorrectly enters his personal number using the keyboard 3, then thesecurity card will reappear at security card slot 2, and the package ofcurrency will be dispensed at currency delivery slot 4 in the samesequence as indicated above with reference to an initial successfulentry of the personal number.

However, if the potential customer has failed to correctly enter hispersonal number during the second opportunity to do so, the signs 9 and10 will revert to their non-illuminated condition, and thereupon the"CARD RETAINED" sign 6 will become illuminated. Should this occur, thesecurity card which the potential customer has inserted into the slot 2will not be returned to him, and the card dispensing apparatus willrevert to its normal shut down condition after a predetermined intervalof time, without dispensing any currency to the potential customer.

It should be pointed out that the "CARD RETAINED" sign 6 may becomeilluminated because of many other conditions, which will be described indetail hereinafter, which differ from the failure to enter the correctpersonal number.

The "EMPTY" sign 8 will become illuminated if the supply of packagedcurrency in the cash dispensing apparatus has become depleted.

For the convenience of the potential customers, the fascia 1 should bemounted so that the security card slot is between 32 inches and 56inches above the pavement level.

With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a side elevational view of aportion of the cash dispenser apparatus. FIG. 2 illustrates the externalfascia 1, the security card transport mechanism 13, the pinch drivewheels 14, the security card reader 15, the currency safe 16, thecurrency dispensing chute 17, and the printer and paper stack 18.

The security card transport mechanism 13 consists of a simple pinchwheel drive including pinch drive wheels 14 which pass the security card19 (which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6) under seven electromagneticheads which check, read, erase and wire upon the security card 19. Thesecurity card 19 may be provided with a reference control or serialnumber 20 (see FIG. 5) on one side of the security card. The card readersection 15 may include a simple embossing printer to print or embossthis reference control or serial number from the security card 19 onto apaper strip, such as one-half inch wide Action paper. A back-up serialprinter is provided in the cash dispensing apparatus as a double checkshould the main printer fail to record the complete details of atransaction when a currency dispensing occurs. When necessary, thisback-up serial printer records the reference control or serial number ofany security card 19 which results in a dispensing of currency. FIG. 2shows the supply reel 21 and the takeup reel 22 for the paper strip ofthe back-up serial printer.

The card reader section 15 also is provided with a dimpler or punchingdevice (not shown) to dimple or punch the security card 19 as anindication of the number of times the security card has been used.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, there is shown the currency safe16 which contains a cash dispensing mechanism 23 comprising four stacksof packaged currency. Dispensing occurs from right to left, as viewed inFIG. 7, and changes over automatically to the next stack when the stackto the right has been depleted. Under the proper conditions andoperation of the apparatus, the plastic package 12 containing apredetermined amount of currency will be dispensed from the cashdispensing mechanism 23 down the cash dispensing chute 17 to the gatedcurrency delivering slot 4. The gate (not shown) provided in the cashdispensing machine 17 is actuated to deliver the package 12 of currencyto the customer only after the customer has removed his security card 19from the security card slot 2.

The cash dispensing mechanism 23 automatically changes over from onestack to the next except when reloading of the mechanism 23 isperformed, after which a dispenser recycle switch (not shown) must beoperated to bring the rightmost (as viewed in FIG. 7) loaded stack intouse. This dispenser recycle switch must also be operated whenever thedoor of the currency safe 16 has been opened, in case the cashdispensing mechanism 23 has been disturbed.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7 indicate generally the printer and paper stack 18.The printer and paper stack 18 includes a main printer (not shown) and astack of paper bank vouchers 24, such as the voucher 24 illustrated inFIG. 10, upon which the main printer records the full details of alltransactions of the apparatus regardless of whether a dispensing ofcurrency has occurred or not. It has been found convenient in order toprint or complete the voucher 24 to employ a main printer whichcomprises eight data print modules and four date print modules. Thesemodules are combined counter and print modules, and are able to stepforward one position for each applied count pulse. They embody a rotaryswitch which can be used for read-out or homing facilities.

FIG. 3 shows a front sectional view of the apparatus which includes thepower supply 25. The greater part of the electronic section of theapparatus is a printed circuit board section 26 as shown in FIG. 3. Theprinted circuit board section 26 contains approximately 32 logic andcontrol printed circuit boards each of which contains approximately 25to 30 integrated circuit gates. The logic and control aspects of theinventive cash dispensing apparatus are described in detail hereinafterwith respect to FIGS. 11 through 16.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a back elevational view of the cash dispensingapparatus which includes a container 27 for the empty currency packages12. It will be recalled that the customer removes his currency from theplastic package 12, and drops the empty package 12 down the return slot5 which is connected by a chute to the container 27.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front surface 28 of the inventive article orsecurity card 19 which may be used with the cash dispenser apparatus.Because it is vital to a successful operation of the cash dispenserapparatus that the security card 19 be inserted in the security cardslot 2 with the proper surface of the security card 19 facing up and inthe proper direction, the front surface 28 of the security card 19 isprovided with designations such as "THIS SIDE UP" and the designation"INSERT THIS WAY" which is associated with a small directional arrow 29.

The front surface 28 of the security card 19 is also provided with anembossed reference serial or control number 20. As previously mentioned,this embossed number 20 is provided as an additional safety feature inthe event of a malfunction of the main printer to record the fulldetails of the transaction on the voucher 24. If desired, the frontsurface 28 may also be provided with the printed designation of theissuing bank and the name of the customer.

The front surface 28 may also be provided with predetermined areas whichare numbered 1 through 20 and which are used to designate how many timesthe security card 19 has been used to obtain currency. Upon each use ofthe security card 19, the previously mentioned dimpler or punchmechanism dimples or punches a hole or perforation in one of thedesignated areas 1 through 20. This readily indicates to the customerthe total number of times the card 19 has already been used. In thisparticular embodiment, the security card 19 is intended for a total of20 usages whereupon the security card 19 is retained by the apparatusand the customer may be issued a second security card 19. Accordingly,on the 20th use of the card, the card is deemed to have been expired andis therefore retained by the apparatus and not returned to the customer.On such a 20th use of the security card 19, the voucher 24 (illustratedin FIG. 10) will include in the area for the retention code a printed"1," indicating that the security card 19 is being retained because thecard is expired. This is one effective way for the issuing bank to makecertain that there is no over use of the security card 19.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rear surface 30 of the security card 19 whichshows the four magnetic recording tracks or stripes 31, 32, 33 and 34,respectively. The magnetic recording strips 31, 32, 33 and 34 containpredetermined static and dynamic information or data which is recordedusing a very safe and sophisticated coding technique to preventforgeries of security card 19.

To facilitate understanding of the static and dynamic information ordata which is recorded on the magnetic recording stripes 31, 32, 33 and34, it is convenient to assume that strips 31 and 32 include all thestatic data in which may be termed track No. 1 and track No. 2; and thatstripes 33 and 34 include all the dynamic information or data in whatmay be termed track No. 3 and track No. 4.

Track No. 1 and track No. 2 may contain in coded form information suchas an account number, a branch sort code number, a cross checkcharacter, a space code character, and a detected code character.

Track No. 3 and track No. 4 contain the dynamic information or data incoded or scrambled form which may include a check word, the personalnumber, various security card checks, a supplementary personal number, adate, the number of times the security card has been used and otherdata. The particular details of the static data recorded in track No. 1and track No. 2 and the dynamic data recorded in track No. 3 and trackNo. 4 will become more apparent in connection with the descriptionhereinafter of FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. The terminology static data orinformation as used herein refers generally to data which is constantand need not be updated or altered. The terminology dynamic data orinformation as used herein refers generally to data or information whichis up-dated, or up-counted, or altered in some other fashion.

It should be noted that the rear side 30 of the security card 19 alsoincludes a first predetermined area or large black arrow 35 whichindicates the direction for correct insertion of the security card 19into the security card slot 2 in the same manner as the small arrow 29on the front surface 28 of the security card 19. However, the largeblack arrow 35 has a more sophisticated function or purpose than merelyindicating the correct direction for inserting the security card 19. Tothe human eye the large black arrow 35 appears to be homogeneously blackand constant in color or composition. However, the apparentlyhomogeneous large black arrow 35 contains a random application of arandom quantity of magnetic material which is not apparent to the casualhuman observer.

Only that random quantity of magnetic material in the large black arrow35 which is positioned within a plurality of preselected rows or tracks,in the form of discrete magnetic spots, is of importance. The additionalamount of magnetic material adds to the security of the system. Beforethe security card 19 is issued to a customer of the bank, these magneticspots within the preselected tracks of arrow 35 are carefully counted.The counting operation is part of a verifying and limit computingprocess which is similar to the operation performed by the card reader15 in the cash dispensing apparatus. To facilitate the counting of thediscrete magnetic spots, an electromagnetic field of a predeterminedfrequency produced by an oscillator is applied to the predeterminedtracks of the arrow 35. The arrow 35 which is thus energized by theoscillator field is then read to determine the number of energizedmagnetic spots in the arrow 35. This "number" is subjected to amathematical transformation to arrive at two related "limits." Theselimits, which may have any desired mathematical relation to the actualnumber of spots, are included, in coded form, in magnetic stripes 33 or34, (track No. 3 or track No. 4) as the so-called security check limits.

As a simplified example, assume that the mathematical transformationsare 1.1N and 0.95N were N represents the number of spots. Then, if N =300 for a particular card, the limits would be 330 and 285 and obviouslythe relationship between N and the limits is that N must fall betweenthe limits. In practice the bank may select virtually any mathematicaltransformation to derive the limits and require virtually anymathematical relationship between the number and the limits.

One of the several checks performed by the cash dispensing apparatus todetermine the validity or invalidity of the inserted security card 19 isan energization of the preselected rows or tracks of the large blackarrow 35, a reading of the thus energized tracks, and a comparison ofthe read value with the security check limits which have been encoded onmagnetic stripes 33 or 34. In other words, when the security card 19 isactually inserted in the cash dispensing apparatus during a dispensingtransaction, the inserted security card 19 will be determined to beinvalid if the value read from the energized black arrow 35 is notproperly mathematically related to the secured check limits which havebeen encoded in scrambled or coded form on magnetic stripes 33 or 34.

In addition to the 20-use limitation on each security card 19, there isanother limitation to prevent over-use of the security card 19. Duringeach disposing operation with a particular security card 19, the date ofthe dispensing transaction is encoded on magnetic stripe 33 or 34. Thisdate is up-dated at each dispensing operation or use of the securitycard 19. At each insertion of the security card 19 into the cashdispensing apparatus the date which is encoded on the card is comparedwith the actual date stored in the electronics of the cash dispensingapparatus. If the comparison of the dates reveals that the date encodedon the security card 19 is the same date as stored in the electronicapparatus, then no currency will be dispensed to the potential customerand, in addition, the inserted security card 19 will be retained by theapparatus. Consequently, each security card 19 cannot be used more thanonce during the same day, nor more than 20 times in total.

With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown a perspective view of the cashdispensing apparatus from the rear showing the various components slidrearwardly for easy servicing and access. The door of the currency safe16 is shown in an open position to illustrate the four stacks of thedispensing mechanism. The entire cash dispensing apparatus in an actualembodiment has dimensions of 6 by 2 by 3 feet.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the cash dispensing apparatusas installed in the external brick wall of a bank. This installationarrangement makes the cash dispensing apparatus virtually vandal proofand minimizes exposure of essential components of the apparatus to theelements. In an actual operating embodiment of the cash dispensingapparatus, it has been found advantageous to fabricate the externalfascia 1 from stainless steel. If desired, the 10-key keyboard may bearranged at a 30° slanting angle relative to the remaining portions ofthe external fascia 1.

With reference to FIG. 9, there is shown a preferred embodiment of theplastic package or clip 12 which is used for dispensing the currency.The plastic package 12 is provided with a thumb hole 36. With referenceto FIGS. 7 and 9, the plastic packages 12 holding the predeterminedamount of currency for dispensing are loaded into the four stacks of thedispensing mechanism 23 by first placing the machine inhibit switch (notshown) in a down position to prevent potential customers from operatingthe machine during currency reloading and then loading the plasticpackages 12 so that the open end faces to the left and the thumb hole 36is at the bottom.

As shown in FIG. 10, there is printed on the bank voucher 24 a sizedigit sorting code which is sometimes referred to throughout thespecification as a branch sort code, and an eight digit account number.Both the branch sort code and the account number are part of the staticinformation or data and are printed by the aforementioned eight dataprint module of the main printer.

Should a security card be retained by the apparatus for any reason, theeight data modules of the main printer will print a retention code whichindicates the reason for the retention. The first possible retentioncode is a printed "1" which means that the security card which has beeninserted into the cash dispensing apparatus is an expired card; or inother words, that this is the twentieth use of the inserted securitycard. The second possible retention code is a printed "2" which meansthat the personal number has been entered or keyed in incorrectly upontwo opportunities to do so. The third possible retention code is aprinted "3" which means that the security card 19 which has beeninserted into the cash dispensing apparatus was already inserted in theapparatus for a currency dispensing earlier on that same day. The fourthpossible retention code is a printed "4" which means that the valueobtained by reading the energized large black arrow 35 on the securitycard 19 which has been inserted into the apparatus is mathematicallyincorrect relative to the values encoded in scrambled form on magneticstripe 33 or 34 as part of the dynamic information or data.

The fifth possible retention code is a printed "5" which indicates anabnormal condition in the parity check. The sixth possible retentioncode is a printed "6" indicating an abnormal condition in the crosscheck. The seventh possible retention code is a printed "7" whichindicates an abnormal condition in the code check. The reasons for thefifth, sixth and seventh retention codes will become more apparent inconnection with the figures following FIG. 10 and the furtherdescription hereinafter.

The eight data modules of the main printer also prints the number oftimes the inserted security card has been used, which as indicatedabove, cannot exceed 20 uses. The eight data modules of the main printerwill also print out the predetermined amount of dispensed currency,which in the case of the voucher 24 illustrated in FIG. 10 is 10 Britishpounds.

The aforementioned four date print modules of the main printerautomatically prints the dispense date on the voucher 24. Theillustrated dispense date indicates the mouth and day and omits anydesignation of the year.

As a variation in the printing arrangement for the dispense date, thefour date print modules of the main printer can be used to include theleast significant digit of the year too. In such an arrangement, twozero to nine 10-position modules are employed for the unit days and 10'sof days, and are connected so that a single day impulse will step thecount from one through to 31. A one- to 12-position module is utilizedfor the months, and a further zero to nine position module is utilizedfor the least significant digit of the year.

In the field cryptography is must be appreciated that there are manymethods of encoding a message which depend on the degree of securitynecessary. In one relatively simple system each letter in the message isreplaced by a different letter to form a coded message; a constantlinear relationship applies between each letter in the normal text andeach letter in the coded text. Thus all occurrences of a particularletter in the message are encoded in the same fashion in the encodedtext. This may be referred to as a monoalphabetic substitution. A moresophisticated type of coding scheme uses a polyalphabetic substitutionwherein a different alphabet may be used to encode each letter of thetext. Thus all occurrences of a particular letter are usually encodeddifferently.

In addition to encoding each letter from the text to obtain the codedmessage, the arrangement of the letters in the coded message may berearranged. Again, any desired degree of sophistication may be used inthe rearrangement technique and, in a given system, several techniquesmay be used simultaneously as long as each message has some indicationof which technique is being used. Therefore, by way of example only, ifthe fifth character in the encoded message is not a message of text butrefers solely to the method of encryption, (coding and/or arrangement)then for the English alphabet 26 methods of encryption may be usedsimultaneously.

Since the particular encryption method is not critical for a completeunderstanding of the operation of the present system and apparatus,terminology such as scrambler, decoder, or distributor will be used andshould be construed to include all the necessary electronic logicrequired to perform the encryption or decoding functions. For example,the decoder and distributor or demultiplexer will include the logic fortranslating the information from coded text to plain text and also willinclude the logic necessary to feed the information in appropriatefashion into a storage register. Thus the arrangement of the data aswell as the encryption technique are immaterial as long as the logic ofthe decoder and distributor satisfactorily provides the output to thenecessary portions of any storage means or register.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate a composite overall information blockdiagram for the entire cash dispensing apparatus or system. Withreference to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a read head 37 which isconnected to relays 38 by electrical conductors 39 and 40. There is alsoa read head 41 which is connected to the relays 38 by electricalconductors 42 and 43. The static information which was encoded on trackNo. 1 and track No. 2 on the security card 19 is read by the rear head37. The dynamic data encoded on track No. 3 and track No. 4 of thesecurity card 19 is read by the read head 41.

The output of relays 38 is connected along line 44 to a decoder anddistributor or demultiplexer 49. Decoder and distributor 49 performs thefunction of decoding (demultiplexing) the scrambled information read bythe read head 37 and, in addition, through the necessary logic andgating providing an output on line 52 to the storage register 53. By wayof illustration, register 53 may be a 16 by 6 register and is more fullydescribed with reference to FIG. 14. Since the statis is stored inregister 53, register 53 is often referred to as a static store. Theoutput of the static register 53 is connected by the line 61 to aselector 62 (FIG. 12) which, in turn, is connected via line 63 to themain printer 64 (FIG. 13). The main printer 64 is the same main printerwhich was mentioned earlier in the description and which comprises theeight data print modules and the four date print modules which wereutilized for printing various information on the bank voucher 24 whichis illustrated in FIG. 10. (The back-up printer is not shown in FIG.13).

With reference back to FIG. 11, the output of the relays 38 is alsoconnected on line 50 to the decoder and distributor or demultiplexer 51.The output of the decoder and distributor 51 is connected on line 70 toa storage register 77, often referred to as a dynamic store. The outputof register 77 along line 115 goes to a scrambler or encoder 116. Theinput to register 77 on line 70 is determined by the internal logic ofthe decoder and distributor 51. The register 77 is more fully describedwith reference to FIG. 15.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a line 79 feeds the output ofregister 77 to one input of a two input comparator 98. When the personalnumber information is entered by means of the pushbutton or keyboard 3,the signal appears on information line 88 and is conveyed to keyboard orpushbutton storage and logic 89. Keyboard logic 89 converts the signalto the same logical form which is being used in register 77 and thekeyboard logic output on line 90 goes as the other input to the twoinput comparator 98. When the comparator 98 is strobed or sampled by apulse on line S an appropriate signal appears on line 101 indicating tothe decision unit 102 (FIG. 13) whether or not the information on thecard and keyboard agree.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, another output from register 77 isconnected on line 82 to one input of a comparator 126. The date, whichis generated internally, is provided on date information input 119 andfed to the other input of comparator 126. When comparator 126 issampled, by a pulse on line S the present date is compared to the dateof the last transaction. The result of this comparison is sent on line127 to the decision unit 102 and, since this must be changed on thesecurity card 19, the present date is also sent on line 128 to scrambler116.

As indicated previously, each card may only be used a predeterminednumber of times. To ascertain the number of past uses, another outputfrom register 77 is provided on line 83 to a register or counter 130.Register 130 has two outputs one of which is connected to scrambler 116,on line 132, and the other of which is connected on line 133 to acomparator 134. The comparator 134 operates to make certain that an"expired" signal is sent out after the predetermined number of uses ofthe security card. The cash dispensing apparatus provides a counterincrement signal on line 135 leading to the counter 130 to make surethat the current use of the security card 19 is added to the totalnumber of uses for the inserted card. Normally, the output of thecounter 130 is conveyed via output line 132 to the scrambler 116.However, if the current use of the inserted security card 19 is the 20thuse, the comparator 134 generates and transmits an "expired" signal online 136 which is conveyed to the decision unit 102 in FIG. 13.

With reference to FIG. 13 there is illustrated an oscillator system 142which cooperates with the relays 38 via line 143 to evaluate therandonly applied random quantity of magnetic material which is withinthe predetermined tracks or areas on the large black arrow 35 asdiscussed with the explanation of FIG. 6. The output of oscillatorsystem 142 is transmitted via line 145 as one input to the magneticmaterial comparator 146.

Referring back to FIGS. 11 and 12 another output from register 77 online 84 is connected to the magnetic material comparator 146. Thisinformation is also conveyed to the scrambler 116 on line 152. The limitvalues, which have been encoded in scrambled form on the insertedsecurity card 19, are decoded by the decoder 51. In this case thedecoding operation also serves to decode the precise mathematicalrelationship desired and converts the information into a workable binaryform to be transmitted on line 84 to the comparator 146. Since the otherinput to comparator 146 is the actual reading taken from the large blackarrow 35 at the time the card is inserted, the output when comparator146 is sampled indicates whether or not the appropriate mathematicalrelationship has been satisfied. The output of comparator 146 isconnected on line 153 to the decision unit 102 in FIG. 13.

Thus the information presented to the decision unit 102 includes a checkof the personal identification number, the number of uses, the date ofthe last use and the amount of magnetic material. Furthermore, some ofthis information is set to the scrambler 116 on lines 128 and 132. Theoutput of the scrambler is connected on line 157 back to the relays 38.In this fashion, the information can be scrambled and re-recorded on thesecurity card 19. To permit re-recording the read heads 37 and 41 mayalso be used as write heads. For this reason the relays 38 include acontrol intput 159 to select the appropriate read or write mode ofoperation.

To facilitate a more complete understanding of the operation andfunctioning of the composite information block diagram of FIGS. 11, 12,and 13 it is best to first consider and describe FIGS. 14, 15, and 16.Where applicable, the same reference numerals are used throughout thefigures to designate similar or identical components.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown the storage register 53 whichstores the static data from tracks 1 and 2. Once the data is decoded thedistribution portion of decoder 49 provides, through the appropriatelogic gates, the output along line 52 into the register 53. For thepurpose of illustration the storage register 53 is considered to be a 6by 16 register. Thus, once the data is decoded or unscrambled anddemultiplexed (distributed), the data appears as 16 characters, eachcomprised of six binary information bits. Again, the particular order ofthe information on the security card and the particular order ofentering the information into the register 53 is not critical to aproper understanding of the principle of this system. Suffice it to saythat the distribution function is performed to put the data in aworkable form such as that illustrated in FIG. 14.

Once the data has been loaded into register 53 it may be considered asincluding a check bit, to insure the data has been loaded properly, asix digit number representing the bank branch or any other desiredsorting code as mentioned in connection with the printed voucher 24illustrated in FIG. 10, and a space code, that is, the binaryconfiguration of a blank space. In addition, register 53 also includesan eight character number representing the customer's account. One ofthe numbers in the customers account, shown by way of example as bit 16,may be used as a check bit. This check bit may also be referred to as acode check character which was previously mentioned in connection withthe seven possible retention codes wherein the security card 19 wouldnot be returned to the customer and wherein a printed numeral indicatingan abnormal code condition in the code check was printed on the bankvoucher 24. As also illustrated in FIG. 14 the output of register 53 isselectively taken along lead 61 to a selector 62. This is to permitdesired information to be printed as indicated previously with thediscussion of the bank voucher 24 in FIG. 10.

Referring next to FIG. 15 the register 77 will be explained. Thescrambled and encoded information which is on tracks 3 and 4 is decodedand demultiplexed by the decoder 51 to provide information on line 70 tothe appropriate portions of the register 77. Register 77, by way ofexample, may be a three channel register having a sufficient number ofbit positions. Ultimately, the information from register 77 istransmitted by output line 115 to the scrambler 116 to be re-recorded onthe security card 19.

FIG. 15 shows, in a representative form, a possible arrangement ofdynamic data in register 77. In addition to the data illustrated in FIG.15 other data such as check bits and parity bits can be employed asdesired. By way of example, channel A may include a checkword and thepersonal number of the user, channel B can include the date of the lastuse and the number of uses permitted on this particular card, andchannel C may include the number of actual uses and the limit values forthe mathematical relationship of the comparison of the amount ofmagnetic material. The output lines 79, 82, 83 and 84 illustrate thatinformation from portions of the register 77 is used as inputs to thevarious comparators of the system.

Referring again to FIG. 13 there is shown a control unit 175. Controlunit 175 operates to provide sample or strobe pulses "S" to thecomparators, controls the printing of information by printer 64, andcontrols the selection of the read or write mode of the magnetic heads37 and 41 (on line 159). The control unit receives a signal on line 168from decision unit 102 indicating the validity of the security card 19and the validity of the information supplied by the user. The controlunit also controls dispensing of currency, and the retention of thesecurity card when it has expired or when incorrect information appearson the card or is supplied by the user. While most of the connectionsfrom control unit 175 has been omitted, for clarity, they are explainedwith reference to FIG. 16. Control unit 175 operates as variousmicroswitches are actuated as will be explained with reference to FIG.16.

FIG. 16 mentioned earlier comprises a composite control unit flowdiagram for the entire currency dispensing apparatus consisting of FIGS.16A, 16B, 16C and 16D. In this particular embodiment of the currencydispensing apparatus a microswitch must operate after each operation.The symbol μS is used in the various parts of FIG. 16 to represent amicroswitch.

The upper portion of FIG. 16A shows a representative illustration of thecard reader section 15, the card transport mechanism 13, some of themicroswitches, and the various magnetic head positions. The securitycard 19 is assumed to enter the card transport mechanism 13 on the leftas viewed in the upper portion of FIG. 16A. The currency dispensingmachine is normally in a shut down position. When the potential customerinserts the security card 19 into the card slot 2, the security card isstopped at the position marked "gate" near the lefthand portion of theupper part of FIG. 16A. Assuming that the KEY 1 magnetic head detectsmagnetic oxide in the area containing magnetic stripes 31, 32, 33 and 34(see FIG. 6), and the inserted card possesses the proper dimensions,then the microswitches μS1A and μS1B will operate to give a key cardpulse. The sign 11 designated "WAIT" is illuminated between a shut downcondition of the machine and the key card pulse when no other sign isilluminated.

As indicated in FIG. 16A and 16B, the appearance of the key card pulseinitiates several components and functions in the apparatus includingthe resetting of the control unit 175 (FIG. 13). the setting of the KEY2 oscillator, the opening of the gate shown in the lefthand portion ofthe upper part of FIG. 16A, the setting of the inward level, the settingof a 20 second Timer 1, the switching of the positive voltage to thesolenoids, and the resetting of the personal number subroutine. Althoughit is not indicated in FIGS. 16A or 16B, the appearance of the key cardpulse also resets the main logic of the apparatus.

The setting of the inward level sets the rollers in and resets therollers out of the card transport mechanism 13. The rollers referred toare the rollers 14 which are illustrated in FIG. 2.

With the setting of the inward level and the consequent setting of therollers in, and with microswitch μS2 open and microswitch μS1A or μS1Bclosed, this indicates that a security card 19 is in the machine. Thiscondition results in a resetting of Timer 1, a setting of Timer 2 withits attendant strobing of a failure bistable, the closing of the flap,and a setting of the failure bistable which is used to check the exitingof the security card 19 from the machine.

With the inward level set, as the security card 19 passes themicroswitch μS2, the microswitch μS2 closes again and this results in aresetting of the main logic and the enabling of the static informationor data read path. In other words, the read head 37 (also shown in FIG.11) is enabled to read the static data which is encoded in magneticstripes 31 and 32 (FIG. 6) into the decoder and distributor 49 and theregister 53 as illustrated in FIG. 11 and set out in greater detail inFIG. 14.

As the security card 19 progresses or moves along from left to right asshown in the upper portion of FIG. 16A, it encounters and opens themicroswitch μS3. This results in the energizing of the relays 38 (shownin FIG. 11) to permit reading of dynamic data by the read head 41.

With the inward level set and the microswitch μS3 open, the dynamicinformation or data read path is enabled, and the read static dataenable condition is reset. At this point in time the dynamic data isread from magnetic stripes 33 and 34 (FIG. 6) into the decoder 51 andregister or store 70 (FIGS. 11 and 15).

As mentioned hereinabove, the appearance of the key card pulse resetsthe personal number subroutine. At the same time, the keyboard or pushbutton store and logic 89 (FIG. 12) is reset, the sign 9 (FIG. 1)designated "ENTER NUMBERS" is set, and a Timer 3 having a twenty secondduration is set.

Returning now to the security card 19 as it moves from left to right asshown in the upper portion of FIG. 16A, as the card moves along with theinward level set the microswitch μS3 closes and this results in aclosing of the dynamic read path, an indication that the card reading iscomplete and checking can now commence, a resetting of the second readlevel to remove the clamp on the main printer 64 (FIG. 13) for printingthe results of the transaction, and a starting of the print out of thestatic data from the store or register 53.

As mentioned above, the closing of the microswitch μS3 gives anindication that the card reading is complete and that checking cancommence. The nature of this checking can be understood by following theline C leading from FIG. 16A to the line C in FIG. 16B. With referenceto FIG. 16B, the initial part of this checking is addressed to thequestion of whether or not the customer has entered the four correctfigures or digits of the secret personal number. First, the apparatusdetermines whether the customer has entered the personal number withinthe alloted time which is determined by the above-mentioned Timer 3having a duration of 20 seconds. If the customer has entered thepersonal number in a time duration of less than 20 seconds, then thesign 9 (FIG. 1) designated "ENTER NUMBERS" is reset, the push buttons orkeyboard 3 is inhibited from further use, Timer 3 is reset, and thepersonal number is checked for correctness.

If the check reveals that the personal number entered by the customer iscorrect, then the decision strobe or sample is initiated by control unit175 (FIG. 13).

If the check of the personal number indicates that the incorrectpersonal number has been entered via the keyboard 3, then there isinitiated a four second time delay by a Timer 10. This four second timedelay permits the resetting of the Timer 3 to be completed, the settingor illuminating of the signs 9 and 10 designated "ENTER NUMBERS AGAIN,"and the resetting of the keyboard or push button store and logic 89(FIG. 12). At this point, and as shown in FIG. 16B, the apparatus thengoes through a similar checking operation as indicated earlier toascertain whether or not the customer has entered the four figures ordigits of the memorized personal number correctly. If it is revealedthat the personal number has been entered correctly, this will alsoinitiate the earlier mentioned decision strobe.

As mentioned earlier there has been commenced a print out of the staticdata from the register 53. Upon completion of this print out a decisionis allowed to be made by the apparatus and this is indicated by the lineD shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B leading to the decision strobe.

Before describing what occurs at the decision unit 102, let usreconsider what is transpiring with the movement of the security cardrelative to the upper portion of FIG. 16A. As the card reachesmicroswitch μS4 with the inward level set, the microswitch μS4 opens andthis results in the resetting of the inward level and the resetting ofthe rollers in with the consequent halting of the security card.

With reference to FIGS. 16B and 16C, it is noted that there is a linedesignated E emanating from the decision strobe which indicates thestart of the printing of the results of the transaction and alsoindicates that the static and dynamic information and the enteredpersonal number are all correct. It is now necessary for the apparatusto determine whether the inserted security card is expired, i.e.,whether or not this is the twentieth use of the card. If the card isdetermined not to be expired, then this initiates a dispense and returnsignal (see FIG. 16D). This signal results in the operation of theemboss printer, a setting of the erase magnetic head, a setting of there-record relays within the unit designated relays 38 in FIG. 11 to an"on" condition, an upcounting operation initiated by the upcount orincrement signal fed into the counter 134 via line 135 (FIGS. 11 and12), a new setting of the re-record circuits, and the initiation of atime delay before the rollers are initiated to send the security card 19from right to left as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 16A in order toreturn the card to the customer. The erase magnetic head which isindicated in the upper portion of FIG. 16A is actually a large magnetichead which erases the magnetic stripes 33 and 34 which carry the dynamicdata. The re-record relays and associated circuitry and magnetic headsre-record the dynamic data which has been updated onto magnetic stripes33 and 34.

Returning to the sequence of operations shown on FIG. 16D, upon thereturning movement of the card to the customer the microswitch μS3 isopened and this results in a resetting of the erase magnetic head, atime delay, and then a turning on of the oscillator and a starting ofthe re-record operation. As soon as the re-record operation has beencompleted, the oscillator system 142 is turned off.

As the card continues to move leftwardly as shown in FIG. 16A, on itsway to being returned to the customer, the microswitch μS5 is actuatedand this starts the dimple count process which is completed by adimpling, perforating or punching of a mark in the security card 19 asshown in FIG. 5 in the next appropriate area.

As the card progresses along, the microswitch μS2 is actuated whichopens the gate. With the gate open and the subsequent actuation of themicroswitch μS1, the sign 7 designated "TAKE CARD" is illuminated totell the customer to remove his security card 19 before the currencywill be dispensed by the apparatus.

As the customer removes his security card, the microswitch μS1 closes,the sign 7 designated "TAKE CARD" is reset or reverts to itsnon-illuminated condition and the signal is sent via the line marked Hto start the currency dispenser motor (FIG. 16C and FIG. 16D). At thesame time a signal is transmitted over the line designated G to set aTimer 8 having an eight second duration before the apparatus reverts toa shutdown condition.

With reference to FIG. 16C, there is illustrated what transpires afterthe dispenser motor has been started. Upon occurrence of the dispensesignal and the operation of the microswitch μS8, the gate of the safe 16is unlocked, and, after a short delay, the safe gate opens for onesecond. Thereupon the safe gate closes actuating a microswitch μS9 whichsets one of two failure bistables. After a short delay the safe gatelocks and then the safe gate circuits send a signal to the fascia gatesolenoids. Thereupon a microswitch μS17 is actuated which unlocks thefascia gate, and, after a short delay the facia gate opens for onesecond. Then the fascia gate closes actuating the microswitch μS18 whichresets the other of the two failure bistables. After a short delay thefascia gate locks and the empty currency package return slot opens toaccept the package 12 which the customer may deposit in the slot 5.

With reference to the upper left hand portion of FIG. 16C, let usconsider what operations occur if the information is correct but it isdetermined that the card is expired. This occurs of course upon thetwentieth use of the card and would indicate that an "expired" signal istransmitted from the comparator 134 (FIG. 12) via the line 136 to thedecision unit 102 (FIG. 13). Under these set of circumstances, thedecision unit generates a "dispense and retain" signal, rather than a"dispense and return" signal which would occur if the card was notexpired. The dispense and retain signal sets the two failure bistables,upcounts the number of times used, operates the emboss printer, nd aftera short delay sets the rollers out. After the rollers have been set, themicroswitch μS5 is actuated which starts the dimple procedure. When thisis completed, the dimple solenoid is operated and the microswitch μS2 isactuated. This causes the rollers out to be reset and sets the rollersin. The microswitch μS6 resets the failure bistables, and, at the sametime, the sign 6 designated "CARD RETAINED" is set or illuminated. Atthe same time the Timer 8 is set for an 8 second duration before theapparatus reverts to a shutdown position.

With reference to the middle portion of FIG. 16B, let us consider whatoccurs when after the decision strobe it has been determined that theinformation is wrong or incorrect. After a short delay, a retain signalis generated. Following the first retain path, there is a resetting ofthe decision enable signal, a setting of the rollers out, and a settingof the second read level in order to read the security card 19 a secondtime to ensure that no error has been introduced by the apparatus itselfby an improper reading of the card on the first trial. The second readlevel setting results in the inhibiting of the print out of the resultof the transaction after the line feed and the inhibiting of thepersonal number subroutine. When the microswitch μS2 opens with thesecond read level set, the inward level is set again as indicated by theline designated B going from FIG. 16B to FIG. 16A.

If after following the same above-described procedure with the settingof the inward level and the consequent decision strobe determining thatthe information is again wrong, the second retain path should now beconsidered. This path leads to a setting of the rollers in, a resettingof the rollers out, the actuation of the microswitch μS6 to reset thefailure bistables, the illumination of the sign 6 designated "CARDRETAINED," and the ultimate setting of the Timer 8 for an 8 secondduration before the machine reverts to a shutdown condition. In otherwords, the second retain path results in a retention of the securitycard 19 by the apparatus and the eventual shutdown condition of theapparatus. This card will remain in the apparatus until it is inspectedby the staff of the bank on the next business day, whereupon thecustomer to whom the inserted card 19 has been issued will be contactedto explain the unsuccessful transaction.

At this point, it would be beneficial to reconsider the informationblock diagram illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. The scrambled or codedstatic data on magnetic strips 31 and 32 appears under the static datamagnetic read heads 37. After the security card 19 has passed the staticdata read head 37, it operates the microswitch μS3 and thereupon thedynamic data of the two outer magnetic stripes 33 and 34 is read. As theoutputs from the head 37 appear in the decoder and distributor(demultiplexer) 49, the data is entered into the store or register 53.

As the security card 19 leaves the dynamic data head 41 and resets themicroswitch μS3, the output from the read head 41 is transmitted to thedecoder and distributor (demultiplexer) 51 to process the incominginformation. Then, the information is entered into the register orstorage 77. It should be noted that the date, on line 119, is alwaysavailable. When the security card 19 leaves the microswitch μS3, thedynamic read head 41 is reset and the information is in the store.

During a dispense condition, the re-record relay is energized, the erasehead is turned on, and after some delay the security card 19 starts backtoward the fascia 1 and contacts the microswitch μS3. The microswitchμS3 essentially starts the re-record process, but a monostablemultivibrator is interposed to delay the start of the re-recording. Theinformation is read out of the register or store 77, encoded andrearranged in the scrambler and distributor 116 and rewritten on thesecurity card 19.

Although the article or security card 19 has been described inconnection with a preferred embodiment of the currency dispensingapparatus, it would appear to those skilled in the art that such a card19 may be employed for a host of other applications. For example, suchan article or card 19 may be employed for identification purposes, forentrance into bank vaults or secret government facilities, and for anyother purpose where only authorized personnel are to be admitted.

The novel currency dispensing apparatus can also be arranged to be"on-line" so that the exact balance remaining in the customer's accountis checked very rapidly to ascertain whether the requested dispenseoperation will result in an overdrawn condition. In addition, theinvention can be modified to permit the customer to request other than apredetermined amount of currency.

In addition to the various functions explained above it is apparent thatthis system can perform additional checks or comparison prior toindicating a valid security card. However only principal validity checkshave been explained to prevent an unduly long description of theinvention. In practice various parity bits and check codes are alsoverified prior to dispensing currency.

1. Apparatus for authenticating a credit or security card and its use inresponse to the introduction into said apparatus of said security cardand the entering into said apparatus of predetermined information,comprising:means for verifying that a particular security card is valid,said verifying means including an oscillator and a transducer forquantizing a characteristic of magnetic material deposited on discreteareas of said security card, and means for reading encoded information,representative of said characteristic, and data on said security card,means for permitting a user of said apparatus to enter personalidentification information into said apparatus, means for determining ifsaid personal identification information corresponds to said data, andmeans for authorizing the use of said security card only if the card isverified and if said personal identification information corresponds to2. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidinformation which is present on said security card is magneticallyrecorded on said security card in a coded or scrambled form, andsaidmeans for determining if said personal identification informationcorresponds to said data includes means for electronically decoding said3. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, includingmeans for recording on said security card the total number of times saidsecurity card has been employed to obtain the dispensed items, and meansto permit said apparatus to retain said security card when said securitycard has been employed for dispensing items a predetermined number of 4.An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, including meansfor normally returning said security card to said user before said items5. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidsecurity card includes a body member having a first predetermined areawithin which there has been applied a random quantity of magneticmaterial, said security card also including a second predetermined areawithin which there has been recorded information which is representativeof said random quantity of said magnetic material which has been appliedwithin said first predetermined area, said oscillator for energizingsaid magnetic material and said transducer including associatedcircuitry for reading the value of the thus energized magnetic material,said information which is read by said reading means beingrepresentative of said random quantity of magnetic material, and saidverifying means includes means for comparing said recorded informationwhich is representative of said random quantity of magnetic materialwith the value
 6. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1,wherein said security card is provided with indicia bearing arandomly-applied amount of magnetic material which is accuratelymeasured before the card is
 7. An apparatus characterized in accordancewith claim 1, including means for recording on said security card thedate of the most recent successful use of that particular security cardand means to permit said apparatus to retain said card when said card ispresented within a predetermined time
 8. An apparatus for dispensingarticles desired by a user of said apparatus in response to theintroduction in said apparatus of a valid security card and the enteringinto said apparatus of a secret memorized personal number, comprising,in combination:means for permitting said user to introduce said securitycard into said apparatus; means for reading and checking the data whichis magnetically encoded in scrambled form on said security card; meansfor determining the validity of said card; a keyboard for permittingsaid user to enter into said apparatus said secret memorized personalnumber; means for determining the validity or invalidity of said enteredpersonal number by comparing said personal number with the data readfrom said security card; said security card being provided with indiciabearing a randomly-applied amount of magnetic material which isaccurately measured before the card is issued to said user; the datarepresenting the accurate measurement of the amount of magnetic materialbeing encoded as part of said data which is present on said securitycard; said reading and checking means including means for reading saidindicia to obtain a signal representative of the amount of magneticmaterial borne by said indicia and means for comprising said signal withsaid data which represents the accurate measurement of the amount ofsaid magnetic material; means for dispensing said articles desired bysaid user only after said security card and said secret memorizedpersonal number are both determined by said apparatus to be valid; andmeans for permitting said articles to be dispensed to said user onlyafter
 9. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 8,including means for retaining said security card and for preventing thereturn of said security card to said user when said user has failed toenter into said apparatus the correct secret memorized personal numberafter a
 10. An apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 8,wherein said data is magnetically recorded on said security card in ascrambled or coded arrangement, and wherein said means for determiningthe validity of said security card which is introduced into saidapparatus includes means for electronically decoding said scrambled orcoded arrangement of data.
 11. An article comprising, in combination:abody member; a first predetermined area on said body member; said firstpredetermined area containing a quantity of material which is capable ofbeing influenced by an electromagnetic field; a second predeterminedarea on said body member, said second predetermined area containing datawhich is representative of said quantity of said material which lieswithin certain portions of said
 12. An article characterized inaccordance with claim 11, wherein said quantity of material within saidfirst predetermined area is capable of being detected and measured aftersaid material is influenced by a predetermined electromagnetic field,and said data within said second predetermined area includes valuesmathematically related to the detected
 13. An article, such as asecurity card, a credit card or an identification card, comprising, incombination:a body member; a first predetermined area on said bodymember; said first predetermined area containing a randomly-appliedquantity of magnetic material; a second predetermined area on said bodymember; and said second predetermined area containing data which isrepresentative of said quantity of said magnetic material which lieswithin said first
 14. An article characterized in accordance with claim13, including a third predetermined area on said body member, said thirdpredetermined area providing a visiblle indication of the total numberof times said article
 15. A security card for use in conjunction with anapparatus for dispensing items desired by a user of said apparatus,comprising, in combination:a body member having a first predeterminedarea in the shape of an arrow for indicating the correct direction forinserting said security card into said apparatus; said arrow containinga randomly distributed quantity of magnetic material portions of whichare accurately measured before said security card is issued to saiduser; said body member having a second predetermined area within whichis encoded various recorded data; and said recorded data includesinformation which is mathematically related
 16. A security cardcharacterized in accordance with claim 15, wherein said recorded dataalso includes information which corresponds to a personal number whichis memorized by said user and which is required to be entered into saidapparatus by said user before said apparatus will dispense the
 17. Asecurity card characterized in accordance with claim 15, including athird predetermined area on said body member wherein there is provided avisible indication of the total number of times said security card has18. An apparatus for verifying that a particular credit card isauthorized for use, comprising:a credit card including discrete areas ofmagnetic material deposited thereon and information encoded thereonwhich is mathematically related to a security value of the depositedmagnetic material, means including an oscillator and a transducer fordetermining the security value of the magnetic material deposited onsaid card, means for reading the encoded information on said card, meansfor comparing the security value and the encoded information and for 19.The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said transducer and oscillatordetermine said security value by measuring a predetermined plurality of20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said magnetic material is randomly21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said encoded information is in ascrambled form and said means for reading includes electronicallyunscrambling said information. .Iadd.
 22. Apparatus which authenticatesa credit, identification, or security card or the like and authorizesits use in the apparatus, comprising:means for verifying that aparticular card is valid; said verifying means including a transducerfor evaluating, after said card is introduced into the apparatus foruse, a unique characteristic of magnetic material deposited on saidcard; said verifying means further including means for readinginformation encoded on said card representative of said uniquecharacteristic of said energized magnetic material, obtained by a priorevaluation of said magnetic material, and means for comparing saidinformation and the evaluation of the unique characteristic of saidmagnetic material, after the card has been introduced into the apparatusfor use, in order to determine if the unique characteristic evaluatedafter the card is introduced corresponds to the unique characteristicobtained by said prior evaluation; and means for authorizing the use ofsaid security card only if the card is verified by determining a validcomparison of said unique characteristic which has been evaluated afterthe card is introduced into the apparatus for use and saidrepresentative information of the unique characteristic obtained by saidprior evaluation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 23. An apparatus characterized inaccordance with claim 22, wherein said security card includes a bodymember having a first predetermined area within which there has beenapplied a magnetic material, which has a unique characteristic value,said security card also including a second predetermined area withinwhich there has been recorded information which is representative ofsaid unique characteristic value of said magnetic material which hasbeen applied within said first predetermined area, said transducerincluding associated circuitry for reading the magnetic material todetermine the value of said unique characteristic, and said verifyingmeans includes means for comparing said recorded information which isrepresentative of said unique characteristic of magnetic material withthe value of said unique characteristic obtained by reading saidmagnetic material..Iaddend..Iadd.
 24. An apparatus characterized inaccordance with claim 22, wherein said security card is provided withindicia bearing randomly-applied magnetic material which is evaluatedbefore the card is issued to said user to determine the value of saidunique characteristic..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 25. An apparatus for dispensingarticles desired by a user of said apparatus in response to theintroduction into said apparatus of a valid security card, said securitycard being provided with magnetic material applied in an area of thecard which may be scanned by a transducer, which magnetic material hasbeen accurately measured to derive and establish a characteristicthereof, before the card is issued to said user, which characteristic isunique with said security card and distinct from other characteristicsof other like cards intended for use in the apparatus, and in responseto entering into said apparatus of a secret memorized personal number,comprising in combination: means for receiving said security card intosaid apparatus; and, a transducer for reading an area of the magneticmaterial on the card to obtain a signal representative of the uniquecharacteristic of such magnetic material after said card has beenintroduced into said apparatus; and, means for reading and checking datawhich is present and magnetically encoded in scrambled form on said cardwhen said card is introduced, at least some of said encoded datarepresenting the prior accurate measurement of the unique characteristicof magnetic material which is present on said security card; means fordetermining the validity of said card including means for comparing saidrepresentative signal with said encoded data which is representative ofthe unique characteristic derived from said card at a prior reading ofthe magnetic material; and means for said user to enter into saidapparatus a secret memorized personal number; means for determining thevalidity or invalidity of said entered personal number by comparing saidpersonal number with other information associated with said securitycard; and means for dispensing said articles desired by said user onlyafter said security card and said secret memorized personal number areboth determined by said apparatus to be valid..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 26. Aseries of articles, such as security cards, credit cards oridentification cards, each of which comprises in combination:a bodymember; a first predetermined area containing magnetic material having aunique characteristic associated with said specific card, which differsfrom similar but different characteristics of other like cards of theseries; and a second predetermined area on said body member containingdata which is representative of said unique characteristic of saidmagnetic material contained in said first predetermined area of saidbody member..Iaddend..Iadd.
 27. An article according to claim 26 whereinsaid magnetic material is randomly positioned due to a randomapplication of a quantity of magnetic material to said firstpredetermined area..Iaddend..Iadd.
 28. An article characterized inaccordance with claim 27, wherein said randomly-positioned areas ofmagnetic material of said first predetermined area comprise two or moremagnetic spots which are randomly applied in said area duringmanufacture..Iaddend..Iadd.
 29. An article according to claim 26 whereinsaid data is encoded and has a functional relationship with a numberwhich may be derived from the magnetic material in said firstpredetermined area when said magnetic material has been energized by anelectromagnetic field..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 30. An article according to claim26 wherein the data contained in said second predetermined area isderived by counting discrete areas of magnetic material in said firstpredetermined areas..Iaddend..Iadd.
 31. An article according to claim 26wherein said data contained in said second predetermined area includes anumber representative of a count of discrete magnetic areas of saidfirst predetermined area, which number has undergone a mathematicaltransformation before being recorded on said article in said firstpredetermined area, said mathematical transformation making possiblecomparison of said data and a reading of said magnetical material ofsaid first predetermined area for correspondence when said article ispresented for use to determine whether use of said article isauthorized..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 32. An article characterized in accordancewith claim 26, wherein said quantity of material within said firstpredetermined area is capable of being detected and measured after saidmaterial is influenced by a predetermined electromagnetic field, andsaid data within said second predetermined area includes valuesmathematically related to the detected or measured quantity ofmaterial..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 33. An article comprising in combination: abody member; a predetermined area on said body member; saidpredetermined area containing a plurality of randomly-positioned areasof magnetic material which is adapted to be read to determine a numberunique to said article, as compared with other like articles, byevaluation of said magnetic material by reading and obtaining a measureof the plurality of randomly-positioned areas of magnetic material toderive said unique number which is measurably associated with the areasread and which is adapted to be stored data on the card, such that asubsequent derivation of said number can be compared with said uniquenumber at the subsequent time it is derived; and, a second predeterminedarea on said body member, said second predetermined area containing saidstored data which is representative of said unique number and measurablyassociated with a count of said randomly-positioned areas of magneticmaterial which lie within certain positions of said first predeterminedarea on said body member and which stored data has been derived by aprior reading of said randomly-positioned areas of said other firstpredetermined area and recorded in said second predetermined area foruse in said comparison at said subsequent time..Iaddend..Iadd.
 34. Anarticle characterized in accordance with claim 33, wherein saidrandomly-positioned areas of magnetic material of said firstpredetermined area are electromagnetically energized..Iaddend..Iadd. 35.An article characterized in accordance with claim 33, wherein saidnumber which is measurably associated with said randomly-positionedareas of magnetic material of said first predetermined area isfunctionally related to said representative stored data of said secondpredetermined area via a predetermined mathematicaltransformation..Iaddend..Iadd.
 36. An article characterized inaccordance with claim 35, wherein said unique number is subjected tosaid predetermined mathematical transformation to obtain said storeddata which is measurably associated with said randomly-positioned areasof said first predetermined area such that said representative storeddata can be compared to said unique number when said unique number fallswithin predetermined parameters for said representative storeddata..Iaddend..Iadd.
 37. An article characterized in accordance withclaim 33, wherein said randomly-positioned areas of magnetic material ofsaid predetermined area comprise two or more magnetic spots which arerandomly applied in said area during manufacture..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 38. Anarticle characterized in accordance with claim 33, including a thirdpredetermined area on said body member, said third predetermined areaproviding a visible indication of the total number of times said articlehas been employed for its intended purpose..Iaddend..Iadd.
 39. Anapparatus for verifying authorized use of a particular credit card orthe like having deposited thereon magnetic material which has a uniquecharacteristic associated with said particular card and which may bederived therefrom by measurement and which card has information encodedthereon which is mathematically related to said measured characteristicof the deposited magnetic material, comprising: means including atransducer for determining a measure of the characteristic of themagnetic material deposited on said card; means for reading the encodedinformation on said card; means for comparing the measure of theparticular characteristic of said card and the encoded information readfrom the card, and for ascertaining the validity of said card bydetermining that a mathematical relationship exists between saidcharacteristic and said encoded information..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 39, wherein said transducer is used to determine saidsecurity value by measuring a predetermined plurality of said discreteareas of magnetic material and provides its output to acomparator..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 41. An apparatus for dispensing one or moreitems desired by a user of said apparatus in response to theintroduction into said apparatus of a security card and the enteringseparately into said apparatus of predetermined information, comprising,in combination: means for receiving a security card into said apparatus,each said security card having associated therewith a number recorded onthe card and having two different data representations of the number;means for reading the two recorded data representations of said numberon the card and means for determining the validity or invalidity of thecard by comparing the two data representations of the number which arerecorded on the card; means for reading data which is magneticallyrecorded on said security card in a coded or scrambled form; means forpermitting said user to enter separately into said apparatus saidpredetermined information; means for determining the validity orinvalidity of said entered predetermined information by electronicallydecoding said coded or scrambled form of data and comparing the decodeddata with said predetermined information; and means for dispensing saiditems desired by said user only if said security card and saidpredetermined information are both determined by said apparatus to bevalid..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 fordispensing currency desired by a user of said apparatus in response tothe introduction into said apparatus of a valid security card and theentering separately into said apparatus by said user of a secretmemorized personal number, wherein said means for reading said tworecorded data representations includes means for energizing apredetermined area of said security card, which area containsrandomly-positioned magnetic material constituting one datarepresentation of said number, and this reading means also includesmeans for counting the energized magnetic material, and said means fordetermining the validity or invalidity of the introduced security cardincludes means for comparing a number derived by said count of energizedmagnetic material with a value constituting the other datarepresentation and that was encoded on said security card before saidsecurity card was issued to said user, and said means for permittingsaid user to enter into said apparatus said predetermined information isfor entering said secret memorized personal number..Iaddend. .Iadd. 43.Apparatus as claimed in claim 42 including means for recording on saidsecurity card the total number of times said security card has beenemployed to obtain the dispensed items, and means to permit saidapparatus to retain said security card when said security card has beenemployed for dispensing items a predetermined total number oftimes..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 and arrangedto receive from a user said security card which includes a body memberhaving a first predetermined area which may be read by a transducerwithin which there has been randomly-applied areas of magnetic material,said security card also including a second predetermined area withinwhich there has been recorded data which is representative of acharacteristic of said magnetic material which has been randomly appliedwithin said first predetermined area, wherein said means for readingsaid recorded data representations includes a means for energizing saidmagnetic material and a magnetic reading head with associated countingcircuitry for counting and reading the thus energized magnetic materialand deriving a random number therefrom and representative thereof, andsaid means for determining the validity or invalidity of said securitycard includes means for comparing said recorded data which isrepresentative of said randomly-applied magnetic material with theamount obtained from said energized magnetic material..Iaddend. .Iadd.45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 and arranged to receive from a usersaid security card provided with randomly-applied magnetic material in adata track which data track was accurately measured before the card wasissued to said user..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 46. A series of articles, such assecurity cards, credit cards or identification cards, each of whichcomprises in combination: a body member; a first predetermined areacontaining magnetic material having a unique characteristic associatedwith said specific card, which differs from similar but differentcharacteristics of other like cards of the series, said magneticmaterial is randomly positioned due to random application of magneticmaterial to said first predetermined area; and a second predeterminedarea on said body member containing data which is representative of saidunique characteristic of said magnetic material contained in said firstpredetermined area of said body member..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 47. An articleaccording to claim 46 wherein said data is encoded and has a functionalrelationship with a number which may be derived from the magneticmaterial in said first predetermined area when said magnetic materialhas been energized by an electromagnetic field..Iaddend..Iadd.
 48. Anarticle according to claim 46 wherein the data contained in said secondpredetermined area is derived by counting discrete areas of magneticmaterial in said first predetermined areas..Iaddend..Iadd.
 49. Anarticle according to claim 46 wherein said data contained in said secondpredetermined area includes a number representative of a count ofdiscrete magnetic areas of said first predetermined area, which numberhas undergone a mathematical transformation before being recorded onsaid article in said first predetermined area, said mathematicaltransformation making possible comparison of said data and a reading ofsaid magnetic material of said first predetermined area forcorrespondence when said article is presented for use to determinewhether use of said article is authorized..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 50. Anarticle characterized in accordance with claim 46 wherein said magneticmaterial within said first predetermined area is capable of beingdetected and measured after said material is influenced by apredetermined electro-magnetic field, and said data within said secondpredetermined area includes values mathematically related to thedetected or measured magnetic material of said first predeterminedarea..Iaddend..Iadd.
 51. An article characterized in accordance withclaim 46 wherein said randomly-positioned areas of magnetic material ofsaid first predetermined area comprise two or more magnetic spots whichare randomly applied in said area during manufacture..Iaddend.